This meeting will review current knowledge about the molecular and cellular basis of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). ASDs, which include autism, Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder – not otherwise specified, typically present with social and language deficits, in addition to proscribed interests and/or stereotyped behaviors. Behavioral interventions remain the first-line treatment for ASDs and can ameliorate symptoms in some individuals. Molecular genetic approaches have begun to identify chromosomal abnormalities and smaller genetic variants that confer high risk for ASDs. These abnormalities can be explored in model systems and are leading to novel rational therapies. Concurrent studies in patients are identifying systems-level changes that implicate neuronal pathways related to specific symptoms of the ASDs. Leading world experts will review all aspects of current research including the possible causes and current treatments of ASDs at this two-day meeting.

Speakers

• Cathy Lord (session chair), University of Michigan Autism and Communication Disorders Center, USA
• Kasia Charwaska, Yale University, USA
• Tony Charman, Institute of Eductaion, University of London, UK
   
• Christopher McDougle (session chair), Indiana University School of Medicine, USA
• David Posey, Indiana University School of Medicine , USA
• Bryan King, University of Washington, USA
   
• David Amaral (session chair), University of California at Davis, USA
• Cyndi Schumann, University of California at Davis, USA
• Patrick Hof, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, USA
• Gene Black, Boston University School of Medicine, USA
• Carlos Pardo, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA
   
• Eric Courchesne (session chair), University of California at San Diego, USA
• Karen Pierce
• Declan Murphy
   
• Jacqueline Crawley (session chair), NIMH, USA
• Alcino Silva, University of California at Los Angeles, USA
• Joseph Buxbaum, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, USA
• Tom Jongens
   
• Joseph Buxbaum (session chair), Mount Sinai School of Medicine, USA
• Steve Scherer, The Hospital for Sick Children, The university of Toronto, Canada
• Bernie Devlin, UPMC, USA
• Catalina Betancur, INSERM U952, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, France
   
• Sally Rogers (session chair), University of California Davis Medical Center
• Fred Frankel, University of California at Los Angeles, USA
• Aubyn Stahmer, The Child and Adolescent Services Research Center , USA
• Judy Reaven, University of Colorado Denver, USA
• David Amaral, University of California at Davis, USA

The conference is organized by Elsevier, publisher of the supporting journal, Brain Research.